Society in focus: Diversity and conflicts at the mediation congress

Society in focus: Diversity and conflicts at the mediation congress

The conference entitled "Show a stance?! Diversity discourses and conflict management" took place on March 28, 2025, organized by the Master's program in Mediation and Conflict Management at the European University Viadrina. The event was held under the umbrella of current social challenges, which have increasingly come into focus in recent years. The opening speakers included Dr. Max Czollek, Kübra Gümüşay and Dr. Thomas Lux, all of whom addressed important topics of social diversity and crisis management. Prof. Dr. Benjamin Lahusen, Dean of the Law Faculty, chaired the conference.

During the opening speeches, Czollek underlined the urgency of protecting Jewish life in Germany and referred to a resolution passed by the governing parties and the CDU/CSU in the German Bundestag. This resolution, on the occasion of November 9th, addresses the increase in anti-Semitic incidents that occurred after Hamas' attack on Israel in 2023. Czollek pointed out that anti-Semitism is not a new phenomenon; rather, its expression has already doubled between 2017 and 2021, a trend that is linked to the AfD's entry into the Bundestag in 2017.

Critical considerations on anti-Semitism and society

Czollek criticized the common view that anti-Semitism is an external problem. Linking the fight against anti-Semitism with political agendas, such as the discussion about tightening asylum laws, was seen as problematic. In particular, attention was drawn to the statements made by Julia Klöckner and Olaf Scholz, who linked anti-Semitism with migration. According to Czollek, the process of coming to terms with Germany's history of violence has so far failed.

Building on this critical point, Kübra Gümüşay spoke about the concepts of real utopias and the essential role of hope in society. Her speech highlighted the connection between language and power, which can be interpreted as the key to overcoming social conflicts. Dr. Thomas Lux complemented the discussion by presenting his research on consensus and conflict, identifying four arenas of inequality and discussing trigger points that reinforce the impression of social division. After the morning part, workshops on topics of diversity in everyday mediation took place.

Scientific debate and social norms

Parallel to the conference, a series of lectures will be held at the university that will deal with the relationship between science and social challenges. The topics include anti-Semitism, racism, migration and the legitimacy crisis of liberal democracy. In this context, the role of scientists is also discussed: Do they evade the polarizations, or do they find ways to observe these complex topics neutrally and objectively? These questions are particularly relevant in a mediatized public that is characterized by polarization and moralization.

The numerous lectures that take place as part of this lecture series provide a practical connection to the theory. For example, Prof. Dr. Astrid Erll from the Goethe University Frankfurt am Main explains what is meant by culture of remembrance, while Dr. Mathias Becker from the University of Cambridge is working on AI-supported analyzes of anti-Semitism. Such events strive to find the balance between scientific distancing and political positioning.

Federal Congress for Intercultural Education

Another important event in the context of social diversity is the Federal Congress for Intercultural Education, registration for which takes place via an external website. The regular participant fee is 120 euros, while reduced prices of 60 euros are offered, which apply to students, trainees, self-employed cultural actors, volunteers, recipients of transfer benefits and people with severe disabilities. Proof of claiming the discount is required.

Social media and other platforms have made it possible to receive information about the specialist forums in advance in order to optimally prepare for participation. The congress is an ideal opportunity to exchange ideas with other actors in the cultural landscape and to gain new perspectives on current challenges.